Phil Brown: A good day at the office, with win and clean sheet

Southend United manager Phil Brown was delighted to see his side return to winning ways, following a convincing 2-0 win over Mansfield Town.

Both goals – scored by Barry Corr and Will Atkinson – set Blues on their way to the win, and Brown felt his side probably could have added to their tally against the Stags.

“I'm delighted with the win,” Brown began.

“The energy levels and the discipline was excellent. We should have had a goal or two more in the first half.

“It was a comfortable 2-0. They threw things at us in the latter stages, but Dan Bentley didn't really have to make a save of any note.

“Will [Atkinson] has to add goals to his game. That was probably one of the reasons Bradford let him go. He's looking to add that to his game and it was a really good day at the office for him.

“It's tight at the top of the table, there's pressure on the players and the teams. If we emulate what we did last year, we'll get into the 80s. We have nine wins at home this season.”

Blues recorded yet another clean sheet at home, with Dan Bentley's consecutive shut out at number nine now – one away from equaling Mervyn Cawston's record.

But it was the centre back partnersip of Adam Barrett and Cian Bolger, which really impressed the Blues chief.

“As a defender, the clean sheet was very pleasing. Adam Barrett and Cian Bolger were part of a clean sheet and they've put their hats in the ring now.

Mansfield played a 4-5-1 formation initially before going two up front, in the form of Matt Rhead. We have that clean sheet mentality and Adam Barrett has that. Cian came off the bench and had a point to prove for the 70-odd minutes and he did well.

“To get our 13th clean sheet at home this season, it shows what a fortress Roots Hall is.”

Bolger came on as an early substitute for Adam Thompson, who went off with a shoulder injury, with Brown not expecting the former Watford man back for the trip to Hartlepool United on Monday.

“Tommo [Thompson] has played since early January with a strapped up shoulder. It's popped out before and he has a history with it. As a number five, he's going to get these problems in his career. He's a battler.

“Hartlepool will be disappointed at throwing a two-goal lead away. I've played at Victoria Park many times. Having 5,000 there will mean it will be an intimidating atmosphere. We go into the game with renewed confidence.”